Suffolk Hospitals to adopt scheme of Martha's Rule

NHS England has implemented the rule to provide a consistent and understandable way for patients and families to seek an urgent review if their or their loved one’s condition deteriorates.

Ipswich Hospital and West Suffolk Hospital are amongst 16 East of England hospitals to have signed up for this rule, which will be implemented by March 2025.

The move follows the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills in 2021. 

She developed sepsis while under the care of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in south London.

The rule comes after the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills (Image: PA)

A coroner ruled she would most likely have survived if doctors had identified the warning signs of her rapidly deteriorating condition and transferred her to intensive care earlier.

Martha's parents, Merope Mills, an editor at the Guardian, and her husband Paul Laity, raised concerns about Martha's health a number of times but these were brushed aside.

They have since campaigned for 'Martha's Rule' to be introduced to give families more say.

Merope and Paul said: "We are pleased that the roll-out of 'Martha's Rule' is off to a flying start and that the need for it has been so widely recognised. 
 
"It will save lives and encourage better, more open communication on hospital wards, so that patients feel they are listened to, and partners in their healthcare."

Ipswich Hospital amongst those to sign up to the scheme (Image: Newsquest)

Over this year, NHS England will be looking to evaluate how this scheme is implemented and form a proposal to expand to other sites across the nation. 

The scheme is made up of three major components.

First, an escalation process will be available 24/7 at all sites. Then NHS staff will also have access to this same process if they have concerns about a patient’s condition.

Finally, clinicians at participating hospitals will also formally record daily insights and information about a patient’s health directly from their families.